Omid Djalili

Omid Djalili, a distinguished Iranian-British actor, comedian, and writer, born on the 30th of September, 1965 in Chelsea, London, had a somewhat tumultuous academic journey before he delved into performing arts. His comedic career soared after his stand-up performance at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, eventually leading to worldwide tours and a notable HBO special. Beyond his impressive accomplishments in comedy, he also appeared in several films such as 'Gladiator', 'The Mummy', 'Spy Game', and 'Sex and the City 2', typically portrayed as a generic Middle Eastern character. His television acting career includes a 22 episodes stint on the U.S. sitcom 'Whoopi' and bagging the Best Supporting Actor award in the film 'Casanova'. Djalili extended his creative pursuits to the theatre, succeeding Rowan Atkinson as Fagin in the West End production of 'Oliver!', and starred in an acclaimed performance of 'Fiddler on the Roof'. He also provided his voice for the popular video game series Grand Theft Auto. Apart from acting and comedy, he made a mark as an official festival judge for the Noor Iranian Film Festival, and participated in the Philharmonia Orchestra's performance at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Balancing his artistic endeavors, Djalili is also dedicated to supporting causes such as the Iran Solidarity Rally.